California’s legal system treats driving under the influence (DUI) quite seriously. From fines to jail time and a driver’s license suspension, the DWI sentences rendered by California’s criminal courts – and the decisions of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – are something every California driver wants to avoid. A DWI charge in California creates a DMV license suspension hearing as well as a criminal court proceeding on the DWI charge. These two procedures are separate but may overlap. Court-ordered DUI classes, for instance, are often required by the criminal court and are also frequently a condition set by the DMV to regain or retain your driver’s license. It’s complicated. That’s one reason why if you’re charged with DUI in Orange County, you’ll need to contact an experienced Orange County DUI defense lawyer as quickly as possible.

Most drivers who are convicted of DWI in Orange County will be sentenced by the court to participate in alcohol education classes. First offenders are usually ordered to participate in 36 hours of classes over twelve weeks. First offenders may apply for restricted drivers’ licenses to drive to and from the classes. A second-time DWI offender will be ordered to enroll in an 18-month DWI education course. Offenders with three or more DUI convictions in a ten-year period may be ordered to take courses running up to thirty months.

The state’s DWI classes are time-consuming and expensive. It’s something you very much want to avoid. If you are charged with DWI in southern California, a good DUI defense lawyer will help you fight the charge, challenge the state’s case and its witnesses, dispute any DUI test results, and work aggressively to bring your DUI case to its best possible resolution. If you’re facing a DWI charge in Orange County, arrange at once to speak with an experienced Orange County DUI defense lawyer.

Mr. Todd Landgren graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1975 where he earned his Juris Doctor. His primary focus of practicing law is DUI. Todd has been a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association since its inception in 1989, and has more than 38 years of DUI defense experience in Orange County and all of southern California.